A Brief History of Raw Milk

Raw Milk Questions & Answers

Your milk comes from a beautiful Jersey cow herd with high butterfat content, rich in fat-soluble vitamins and essential trace minerals. It's a living, nutrient-dense food that remains whole and unprocessed by heat.

What is raw milk?

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized or homogenized. It is often referred to as "real milk" because it is how milk was traditionally consumed before modern industrial methods were introduced.

The benefits of raw milk

Raw milk offers a myriad of health benefits that stem from its natural composition and minimal processing. Raw milk is rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and beneficial bacteria that are very easy to digest and contribute to optimal health and well-being. Additionally, raw milk enthusiasts often report improved digestion, strengthened immune function, and reduced incidence of allergies and asthma by preserving the natural integrity of milk through minimal processing, raw milk retains its full nutritional potency and flavor, making it a nourishing choice for those seeking wholesome, unadulterated dairy products.

See these studies:
https://www.rawmilkinstitute.org/about-raw-milk

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0289249

Is raw milk safe?

In the early 19th century, raw milk demonization began due to unsanitary milking practices near urban areas, leading to infant deaths. Dr. Henry Coit introduced a certification program to ensure hygienic practices and proved that pasteurization was unnecessary. However, industrialized food systems have used these tragedies to portray raw milk as dangerous. Yet, studies show that clean raw milk is safe to drink. At Bannister Oak Farms, we prioritize cleanliness, health, and proper handling procedures. We test our milk monthly for pathogens (hyperlink to test results page) to ensure its safety. Precautions such as regular testing, cow health, and proper handling are vital for safe milk consumption.

See this study:

https://static1.squarespace.co...

Recommended Reading

"Nourishing Traditions"
Sally Fallon

"The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby & Child Care"
Sally Fallon & Thomas S. Cowan

“The Milk of Human Kindness Is Not Pasteurized’
William Douglass

“The Raw Milk Revolution: Behind America’s Emerging Battle Over Food Rights”
David E. Gumpert

“The Raw Milk Answer Book: What You Really Need To Know About Our Most Controversial Food”
David E. Gumpert

“The Untold Story of Milk: Gren Pastures, Contented Cows And Raw Dairy Products”
Ron Schmid

“The Raw Truth About Milk: Formerly The Milk Book- Now revised and expanded”
William Campbell Douglass

“Everything I Want To Do Is Illegal: War Stories from the Local Food Front”
Joel Salatin

“Nutrition and Physical Degeneration”
Dr. Weston A. Price